Steve Keim plans to be aggressive in free agency

Steve Keim had a successful first offseason as Cardinals general manager, moving aggressively in free agency to acquire players that helped the team win 10 games during the 2013 season.

Keim is planning more of the same this time around. He told Darren Urban of the team’s website that the team plans to be “aggressive with offers” in the opening days of free agency in hopes of landing some of their top targets and explained that the team is operating the same way when it comes to their own free agents.

“Sometimes the players and their agents want to get to the market and see where the numbers go,” Keim said. “At the same time we have aggressively pursued some of our own free agents and we have deals on the table that we feel pretty good about.”

The Cardinals have already re-signed punter Dave Zastudil, leaving linebacker Karlos Dansby, kicker Jay Feely, running back Rashard Mendenhall and tackle Eric Winston as the biggest pending free agents on the roster. Bringing all of them back would be difficult, assuming that’s of interest to the team, and Keim showed last year that he’s willing to move on quickly to his next option if a player isn’t on the same page in terms of an offer.

That approach worked the first time. If it goes well again, the Cardinals may be able to be more than the best team outside the playoffs when the 2014 season comes to a close.

goldrush36 says:
Teams agressive in FA almost always stumble. Build through the draft.
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Not sure how much you keep up, but there is a way to approach FA (good value and fill gaps). Keim nailed these last year and most fans are looking forward to how he does this year.

He moved fast last year but only on good contracts. He then stayed active right to the end of free agency and did let things fall to him, such as the Eric Winston and John Abraham signings the day before training camp. I think I read somewhere around 50 roster spots got churned. He also nailed the draft except for Ryan Swope, who ended up unable to play due to concussions. Cooper, Minter, Honey Badger and Ellington were all great picks.

If he and Arians continue to improve that team they will be as good as any other NFC West team, making the conference a nightmare for all the others.

theuglitruth says:Feb 17, 2014 5:29 PM

Keim will try to be fair to Dansby, but he knows he has Kevin Minter, last years 2nd rd draft pick waiting in the wings to line up next to Washington. It’ll be up to Dansby…they won’t break the bank for him!